5 On Your Side

IRS: Scammers use fear, unknown to steal your money. Don't fall for it!

Scammers are emailing, calling and messaging to trick individuals into turning over personal information.

Posted Updated

By
Monica Laliberte
, WRAL executive producer/consumer reporter

Don’t fall for it.

5 On Your Side’s Monica Laliberte has a reminder from the IRS, so you don’t lose your money to a scam.

So many people are getting taken by scams targeting Economic Impact Payments

We talked with an IRS representative who really stressed a need for warning people because payments are still going out.

The problem, scammers are emailing, calling and messaging victims.

They claim to be from the IRS and work to get any kind of identifying information or financial account information including account numbers and passwords. Or they might try to get your Social Security Number or government benefits information.

The IRS warns, they "play on the fear and unknown of the virus and the stimulus payments."

One example happening is scammers who make contact and say you received too much and must send the overpayment back.

Another example, they say a second payment is coming, but you have to pay a fee to get it.

Successful scammers are incredibly convincing.

If you ever get a call asking for or demanding money, don’t let panic take over.

Hang up and stop the scam.

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